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Wikipedia - Roland TR-505 Code

TR-505
The Roland TR-505
ManufacturerRoland
Dates1986
Price$318 US (1986)
$150 US (2020)
Technical specifications
Polyphony8 voices
Oscillatorn/a
Synthesis typeDigital Sample-based
Velocity expressionno
Storage memoryPatterns: 48 user, 48 preset. 6 Songs.
EffectsNo
HardwareMain panel features a simple LCD display, 15 buttons, 2 knobs, 16 trigger pads, 2 outputs for Left and Right/Mono, headphone jack, and tape input/output.
Input/output
Keyboard16 Pattern Keys
External controlMidi In/Out, Start/Stop foot pedal jack.
Audio sample8-bit unsigned PCM data, with a 25.00 kHz sampling rate (non-linear DAC circuitry to simulate 12-bit resolution).

The Roland TR-505 Rhythm Composer was released by Roland, in 1986[1][2]. It is a drum machine and MIDI sequencer from the same family as the Roland TR-909, TR-808, TR-707, and TR-606. The drum kit includes basic rock drum sounds similar to those of the TR-707, plus a complement of Latin-style drum sounds similar to those of the TR-727 (the Latin version of the TR-707)[3]

Voice synthesis

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8-bit unsigned PCM data, with a 25.00 kHz sampling rate (non-linear DAC circuitry to simulate 12-bit resolution)[4]. The TR-505 is not a cut-down baby brother of the TR-707. Instead offers some major improvements including 16 digitally recorded PCM drum sounds (four more than the TR-7070).[5] Also including five Latin percussion voices, eliminating the need to but a 'latin version'[3] or PCM card down the road.

Summary of Drum Voices:[6]:

Low Conga Hi Conga Timbale Low Cowbell Hi Cowbell Hand Clap Crash Cymbal Ride Cymbal
Bass Drum Snare Drum Low Tom Mid Tom Hi Tom Rimshot Closed Hi-hat Open Hi-hat

Although there are 16 samples the TR-505 only 8 voice polyphonic. This means some samples are restricted from played simultaneously: Low Conga or Hi Conga; Timbale, Low Tom, Mid Tom, or Hi Tom; Low Cowbell or Hi Cowell; Hand Clap or Rim Shot; Crash Cymbal or Ride Cymbal; Closed Hi-Hat or Open Hi-Hat.[6]

There is almost no voice editing in the TR-505. The user is limited to setting the Volume, Velocity, MIDI Channel, and MIDI Note of each voice as a global parameter.[6]

Sequencer

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The TR-505 contains 48 factory sequencer patterns, organized into 3 pattern groups (A, B, and C). The drum machine also contains 48 user created sequencer patterns, organized into 3 pattern groups (D, E, and F).[3]

The TR-505 features five basic modes, including the following[6]:

  • Track Play - plays whole tracks (arrangements of patterns to form songs).
  • Track Write - sequence patterns into tracks.
  • Step Write - sequence patterns by stepping through each position in the pattern.
  • Tap Write - sequence patterns by tapping drums sounds in real time.
  • Real time - play patterns in real time by tapping the pads.

An accent can be applied to any position in a pattern and will affect all instruments triggered at that position by increasing output volume.[6]

You can Copy, Insert, or Delete one or more steps in any given pattern.You can also Copy, Insert, or Delete patterns anywhere in a track (song)[1].

Each individual pattern is a single measure long, The default time signature is 4/4 consisting of 16 steps and quarter note scale. This results in each step representing a sixteenth note. Other time signatures can be programmed by changing the Last Step (length of patterns) and the scale. This can also result in shuffle and swing rhythms.[6]

Two or more Patterns can be combined, using Pattern Chaining, to play as a single pattern. Each pattern in the chain occupies a pad, but will only trigger the whole chain, not the individual pattern.[6]

Up to six tracks (songs) can be programmed using combinations of patterns[6]. Each song can consist of up to 423 bars (patterns).[7][6]

Keyboard/ External Control

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The TR-505 consists of 16 individual instrument/ pattern pads.[7] The pads are not velocity sensitive (pad velocity is fixed, except when modified by Accent parameter)[6].

The TR-505 can transmit and receive on MIDI channels 1 -16 and Notes numbers 25 to 99. It also contains a MIDI Omni mode allowing it to receive all MIDI data. The TR-505 responds to the following MIDI messages[3]:

  • Key message - trigger signal for the individual voice.
  • Velocity message - Note-on velocity is both transmitted and received allowing more expressive.[6]
  • Track Number message - track/song select
  • Bar Number message - Song position
  • Clock message - tempo synchronization, start, stop, etc..

Storage Memory

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Storing 48 ROM patterns, 48 RAM patterns, 6 tracks, and a maximum of 423 measures.[4]

The Tape interface (in/out) allow the Tracks and Patterns in internal memory to be stored on external tape.[5] Data can be Saved, Verified, and Loaded from tape.[6]

Modifications/ Circuit Bending

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There are companies, websites, and magazine articles documenting a DYI process for circuit bending and modifying the factory setting of the Roland TR-505. An example of a few modifications include: changing audio samples[8], voice circuit bending[9], adding individual audio outputs[10], adding CV outputs[11], adding pitch change to each voice[9], and adding circuits to randomize sequences[9].

Notable users/Endorsers

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gilchrist, Trevor (May 1986). "Drumatix Goes Digital". Electronics & Music Maker. 6 (3): 38.
  2. ^ Lockwood, Hannah. "ROLAND DRUM MACHINE HISTORY: 1964 – 2016". Roland Australia Blog. Roland Corporation. Retrieved June 16, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b c d Reed, Tony. "Roland TR 505 Rhythm Composer". RhythmCheck. International Musician. 12 (6): 102–103.
  4. ^ a b TR-505 Service Notes. (Jun 1986). Osaka, Japan: Roland Corporation.
  5. ^ a b Gilby, Ian (April 1986). "Beat Box". Sound on Sound. 1 (6): 24.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Roland TR-505 Owner Manual, Osaka Japan: Roland Corporation.
  7. ^ a b "Roland TR505". Making Music. 1 (1): 27–28. Apr 1986.
  8. ^ "Roland TR-505 ROM Expansion". HKA Design. Retrieved June 16, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b c "TR-505". Burnkit 2600. Retrieved June 16, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Project: Separate out for the Roland 505". International Musician. 13 (4). Mar 1987.
  11. ^ "Roland TR505". Polymonial. Retrieved June 16, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Perna, Alan Di (Feb 1990). "Vince Clark". Keyboard Magazine. 16 (2): 41.

Further reading

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Category:Drum machines TR-505 TR-505 Category:Musical instruments invented in the 1980s Category:Japanese inventions

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